Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: yet to bat

The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

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

Wood's injury removed the energy 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 bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.

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

England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

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

Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

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

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

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.