Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.