🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up Practice game, Perth venue (day one of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action after July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia. Skipper's Outstanding Return Stokes, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side. Mark Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue. Squad Strategy The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties. Low-key Environment England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week. Stokes Supreme Performance Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear. The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country. He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Will Jacks Pushes Claim Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight. Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.