Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action after July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
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 is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers 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 place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
