Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra 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 omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
