Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test 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 Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
