Ben Stokes Claims Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series 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 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 is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.