Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 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 the following day.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup 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 position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.