🔗 Share this article Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up Tour game, Lilac Hill (day one of three) Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Return The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side. Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day. The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue. Team Strategy England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four. McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Environment The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week. Captain's Supreme Return The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia. 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 wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Case Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Although the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight. Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.