🔗 Share this article Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 England XI: yet to bat Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Outstanding Return The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side. Mark Wood's Injury Concern Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out 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 the following day. The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue. Team Planning The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84. Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Low-key Atmosphere The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week. Captain's Supreme Return Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder. The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Will Jacks Pushes Case Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts 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 attack for the initial match. Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight. Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.