Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play 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 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 attack for the initial match.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of 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 claimed a wicket 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.