Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.

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

Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

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

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

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

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

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

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

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

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.