Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced six wickets 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.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over 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 was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.