Practice game, Perth venue (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play after July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
