Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but England faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace 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 dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob 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 was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. 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 unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
