Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs 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 fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion 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.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours 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 Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, 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 initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
