Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.