🔗 Share this article Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 England XI: yet to bat The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia. Captain's Outstanding Return Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side. Mark Wood's Fitness Concern Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday. Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue. Squad Strategy The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November. In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad. Batting Highlights Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by swiping 84. McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries. Relaxed Atmosphere England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "former players". A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week. Stokes Supreme Performance The captain was superb 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 shoulder tear. The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia. He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted. Jacks Strengthens Claim Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball. Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test. Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Although the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks. In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight. Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.