Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play after July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to 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.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. 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 Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
