Ben Stokes Claims Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

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

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front 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 fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.