Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
