Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain produced six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

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

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

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

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four.

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

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

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days 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 play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand 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.

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

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

Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

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

Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.