Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

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 first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.

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

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected 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.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.