🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of three) Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat The England captain achieved six wickets in his first action after July but England encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Return The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side. Mark Wood's Fitness Concern Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday. The Wood situation removed 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 Planning England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84. McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Low-key Environment England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "past players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week. Stokes Excellent Performance Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder. The skipper 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 Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia. He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted. Jacks Pushes Claim Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break. Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight. Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.