🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth. Captain's Outstanding Return The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing 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 bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue. Team Strategy The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four. McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Environment England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "has-beens". A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week. Stokes Excellent Return The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear. The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been bowling 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 wickets were gifted. Jacks Strengthens Claim Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight. Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.