Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 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 scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
