🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: still to bat Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Outstanding Return Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side. Wood's Injury Worry Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day. The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue. Team Planning 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 possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Highlights Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Low-key Environment England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium next week. Captain's Excellent Return The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push 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 England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country. He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Jacks Strengthens Case Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match. Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break. Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight. Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.