Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered six wickets in his return to play since July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount 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.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

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

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

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

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

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.