Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
