Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation sucked 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 Lilac Hill.

England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "past players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.