Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
