Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine 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 the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
