Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

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

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series 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 fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven 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 concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate 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 fifty-three with the final ball of the day.