Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury 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.

England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

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

Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

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

In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.