Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

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

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

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

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

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous 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 the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – 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.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.