Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action after July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been practicing 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
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
