Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action since July but England faced an injury concern involving Mark 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 away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

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

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded 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 inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.