Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, 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.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
