Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Captain's Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
