Ben Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
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 England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight 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 sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed 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 specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
