🔗 Share this article Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up Tour match, Perth venue (day one of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia. Captain's Outstanding Comeback The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches on the leg side. Wood's Injury Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue. Squad Planning England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by hitting 84. McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties. Low-key Environment England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Return Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear. The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob 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. Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break. Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. 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 struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.