Tour game, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing 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 dismissals 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 XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling 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 England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
