🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3) Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but England encountered an injury concern regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia. Skipper's Outstanding Comeback The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Wood's Fitness Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day. The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue. Team Strategy England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four. McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties. Low-key Environment England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "past players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed main stadium the following week. Captain's 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 captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back 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 two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Will Jacks Strengthens Case Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. 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 initial match. Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight. Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.