Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

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

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.

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

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected 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 fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.