Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, 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 off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
