Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but England faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.