Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting 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 omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

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

Although the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.