🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play after July but England faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Comeback The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Mark Wood's Injury Worry Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day. Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions. Batting Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four. McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Low-key Environment England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week. Stokes Excellent Performance The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder. The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia. He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob 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 team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match. Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Although the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight. Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.