Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

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

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

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

England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new 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 asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.