Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly 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 contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
