Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.