Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered six wickets in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
