Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced 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 Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game 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 Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
