Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
The tourists aimed 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 opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, 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 past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
