Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling 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 opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman 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 once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.