Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

National team: still to bat

The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

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

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.