Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.

England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.