Ben Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

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

The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case 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 half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.