Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained 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.
Team Strategy
England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team'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 Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.