Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".
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.
Captain's Supreme Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
