Ben Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting 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 off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series 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 good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.