Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed 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.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
