Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his return to play after July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
