Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play since July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former 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 sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game 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 McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
