Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered six wickets in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

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

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

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

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

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

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