Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered 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.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.