Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists 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 selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.