Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
