Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

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

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over 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 first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.