Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, 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 the following day.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous 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 Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
