Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up

Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch 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, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

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

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain 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 significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

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.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.