Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to bowl 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 tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra 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 omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.