Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play since July but England faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

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

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.