Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: yet to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

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

Fast bowler 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 post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.

The team's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

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

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.