Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
