Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. 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 series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, 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 first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
