🔗 Share this article Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Comeback Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Mark Wood's Fitness Worry Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day. The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue. Squad Strategy The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Relaxed Atmosphere The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "has-beens". A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Performance Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder. The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed 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 wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test. Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break. Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight. Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.