Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation removed 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.
Team Planning
England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".
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.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
