🔗 Share this article Stokes Secures Six Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Outstanding Comeback Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side. Mark Wood's Injury Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday. The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue. Squad Planning England wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Atmosphere England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players". A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week. Captain's Excellent Return Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Jacks Strengthens Case Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match. Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch. Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight. Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.