Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt 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 was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
