🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three) Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 England XI: still to bat Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Return Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side. Wood's Injury Worry Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday. Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Team Strategy The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four. Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties. Low-key Atmosphere The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "former players". A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week. Captain's Supreme Performance Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, 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 winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia. He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Jacks Strengthens Case Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight. Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.