Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.