Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive 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 slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
