Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
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 first Test.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
