Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. 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 series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back 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 comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected 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 concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper 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 absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
