Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England wanted to field 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 opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing 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 wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
