Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

England XI: still to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

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

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.