🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three) Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: awaiting batting The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia. Skipper's Outstanding Comeback Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Mark Wood's Fitness Concern Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day. Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue. Team Strategy England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84. Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties. Low-key Environment England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens". A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Return The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses 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 wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Case Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks. In the omission of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight. Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.