Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

England XI: still to bat

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight 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 removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by hitting 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.

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

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.