Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
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 doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening 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 the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, 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 Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
