Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace 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 dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team 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 team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
