Ben Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent 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 captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked 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 play in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.