Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.