Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting 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 bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved 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 was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
