Ben Stokes Claims Six Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
