Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Tour game, Perth venue (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

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

Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

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