Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

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

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.