Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.

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

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

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

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months 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 is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. 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 required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.