Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists wanted 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 specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.