Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed 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 excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

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

Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.