Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

National team: still to bat

The England captain produced six wickets in his first action after July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

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

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

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

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

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

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

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.