Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England faced an fitness worry regarding 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 almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling 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 dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
