Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play after July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation removed 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.

The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of 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 economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.