Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.