Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain produced six wickets in his first action since July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, 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 removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

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

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace 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 gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.