Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play after July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus 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 injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
