Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: still to bat

The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

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

The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.

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

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.