Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

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

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.