Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.

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

The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".

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

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt 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 was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.