🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: still to bat Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Impressive Comeback The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side. Wood's Fitness Concern Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day. The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill. Team Planning The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties. Relaxed Atmosphere England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens". A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Return The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear. The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Will Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test. Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break. Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight. Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.