Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play after July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.