Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time 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 selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain 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 various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over 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 sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
