Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection 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.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Performance
Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling 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 wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
