🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: still to bat Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia. Skipper's Impressive Comeback Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side. Mark Wood's Injury Worry Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Low-key Atmosphere England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "past players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week. Captain's Excellent Return The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear. The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia. He has been bowling at maximum speed 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 wickets were presented. Jacks Strengthens Claim Jacks is not expected 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 struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test. Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break. Although the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight. Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.