Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action after July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace 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 dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
