Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. 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 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
