🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3) Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his first action after July but England encountered an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Impressive Return The England captain, returning after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Wood's Injury Concern Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day. Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84. Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Relaxed Environment England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players". A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week. Stokes Supreme Return The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder. The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted. Will Jacks Pushes Case Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch. Though the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight. Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.