Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
