Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

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

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

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

The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.