Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past 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 full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although Stokes 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 omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.