Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast 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 problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.

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

The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain 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 shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

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

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.