🔗 Share this article Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his return to play following July but England encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia. Skipper's Impressive Comeback Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side. Wood's Fitness Worry Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day. Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Planning England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions. Batting Standouts Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring eighty-four. McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties. Relaxed Environment The team's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens". A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week. Stokes Supreme Return The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder. The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia. He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Case 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 nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test. Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch. Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight. Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.