Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but England faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

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

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.

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

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Mark 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 opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.