Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

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

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

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

The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, 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 opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.