🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three) Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth. Skipper's Outstanding Comeback The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Mark Wood's Fitness Concern Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue. Squad Planning The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84. McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made half-centuries. Low-key Environment England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week. Captain's Supreme Return Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear. The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country. He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. 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. Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight. Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.