Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
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 automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes 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 fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
