🔗 Share this article Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three) Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth. Captain's Outstanding Return Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches on the leg side. Wood's Fitness Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue. Squad Strategy The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring 84. Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Atmosphere The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week. Stokes Supreme Return Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia. He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Will Jacks Pushes Case Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch. Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight. Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.