Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark 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 intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked 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 unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Though the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.