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Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit 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 edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
Rita Davis
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