Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: yet to bat

The England captain produced six wickets in his first action after July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions 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 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

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

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

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.