Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the intensity 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
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England'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 low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions 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.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
