🔗 Share this article Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three) Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England faced an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth. Captain's Impressive Return The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side. Mark Wood's Injury Concern Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday. The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Squad Planning England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four. McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Environment The team's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens". A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week. Captain's Excellent Return The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear. The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia. 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 dismissals were gifted. Jacks Strengthens Case Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight. Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.