🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3) Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Impressive Comeback The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side. Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day. Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue. Squad Strategy England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Relaxed Environment The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "has-beens". A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week. Captain's Supreme Performance The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented. Jacks Pushes Claim Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break. Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight. Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.