Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named 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 Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
