Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury drained 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 build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned 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 spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

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

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.