Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

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 possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

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

England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

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 hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.