Stokes Claims Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace 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.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.