Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

National team: yet to bat

The England captain delivered six wickets in his return to play following July but England encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

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

England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.

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

The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain 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 the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

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

Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.