Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but the tourists faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Performance
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
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 presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
