Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace 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 dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.