Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Return
The England captain, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was excellent 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 shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.