Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb 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 full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back 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 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.