Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match 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 specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. 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 leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
