Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: still to bat

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues 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 practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though Stokes took the wickets, 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 Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.