🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Return Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side. Mark Wood's Injury Worry Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day. The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue. Team Strategy England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Standouts Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84. McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Relaxed Environment England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players". A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week. Captain's Supreme Return Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear. The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country. He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted. Will Jacks Pushes Claim Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match. Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break. Although the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight. Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.