🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: still to bat The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth. Skipper's Outstanding Comeback The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side. Wood's Fitness Worry Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day. Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Highlights Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four. McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Low-key Environment The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens". A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium next week. Stokes Supreme Return Stokes was superb 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 shoulder tear. The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia. He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented. Jacks Strengthens Case Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks. In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight. Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.