Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but England encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match 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 Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.