🔗 Share this article Ben Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three) England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth. Captain's Impressive Comeback Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Wood's Fitness Worry Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday. Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill. Squad Strategy England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions. Batting Performance Standouts Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by scoring 84. McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties. Relaxed Environment England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the doubters "former players". A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week. Captain's Excellent Return The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder. The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country. He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented. Will Jacks Strengthens Case Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball. Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers 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 Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break. Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight. Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.