Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, 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 doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.