Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern 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.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
