Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his first action after July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

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

The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

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

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

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.