Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning 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 receive scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest 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 skipper has not completed 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 Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt 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 opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
