Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Return
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes 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 Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.