🔗 Share this article Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: awaiting batting Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia. Skipper's Outstanding Return Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches on the on-side. Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day. The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy England aimed 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 visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries. Low-key Atmosphere The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "former players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Return Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Will Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch. Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight. Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.