Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number 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 removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.