Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours 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 Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
