Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain produced six wickets in his first action since July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.

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

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition 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 – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup 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 Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.