Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
