🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match Tour game, Perth venue (day one of 3) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth. Captain's Outstanding Return The England captain, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Mark Wood's Fitness Concern Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day. Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Planning The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Highlights Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Relaxed Environment The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week. Captain's Supreme Performance The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder. The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished 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 Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Will Jacks Pushes Case Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match. Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch. Though the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight. Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.