Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Tour game, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

National team: still to bat

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast 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 afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation 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 the venue.

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

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced 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 good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

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

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.