Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past 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 matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed 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 gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 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 scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.