Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 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 wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.