Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

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

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

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

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved 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 team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.