Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

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

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

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain 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 torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

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 is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.