Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
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 calling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when 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.
