Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 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 England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
