Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace 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 gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.