Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action after July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made fifties.

The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead 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 fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

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