🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play after July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia. Skipper's Outstanding Return Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Mark Wood's Injury Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day. Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue. Team Planning England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Highlights Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties. Low-key Atmosphere The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "past players". A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week. Stokes Excellent Return Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder. The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days 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 Pushes Case Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match. Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight. Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.