Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Performance
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
