Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing 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 wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
