Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press 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 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
