Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
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 visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
