Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob 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 England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.