Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
