Ben Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI named 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.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
