Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

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

McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days 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.

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

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.