Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

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

Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

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

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

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

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

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

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

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