Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: still to bat

The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

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

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.