Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

National team: yet to bat

The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

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

The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

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

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

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

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

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

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

Though the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

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

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.