Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match 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. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
