Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of three)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action since July but England faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 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 problem. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team'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 relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup 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 position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.