Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

England XI: still to bat

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

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

Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.