Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four.

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

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed main stadium next week.

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

The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace 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 dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.