Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number 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 Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances 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 full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
