Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action since July but England faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving 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 England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

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

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 doubters "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing 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 dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.