Cricket Update | First day of England v England Lions
Ben Stokes took six wickets on the first day of England’s Ashes warm-up
England were left sweating over an injury to Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the England Lions in Perth.
Author | Peter Jones
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Stokes, playing his first match since July following a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells to take 6 for 52, with all six dismissals caught on the leg side.
There was less encouraging news for Wood, who was featuring for the first time in nine months after a knee problem. The fast bowler delivered a planned eight-over spell before leaving the field during the afternoon session with a hamstring issue. He is due to undergo a scan on Friday.
Wood’s setback took some of the edge out of an otherwise lively day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish, low surface at Lilac Hill following an uncontested toss. England had opted to bowl first to give their seamers valuable overs ahead of the opening Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, which begins on 21 November.
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The tourists fielded an all-pace attack of four specialists plus Stokes, omitting off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in what could hint at their selection plans for the first Test.
Jacob Bethell’s hopes of forcing his way into the Test side were dented as he managed only two runs, while Will Jacks strengthened his case for inclusion later in the series with an attacking 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts all contributed half-centuries to a solid Lions total.
Was this a useful warm-up?
England’s decision to schedule only one warm-up match against the Lions has drawn criticism from several former players, but Ben Stokes dismissed their concerns, labelling the detractors “has-beens”.
The opening day at Lilac Hill had a distinctly laid-back feel, watched by only a handful of spectators and a far cry from the intensity that awaits England at a packed Optus Stadium next week. Music played from the dressing rooms throughout the day, and team analyst Rupert Lewis took on drinks duties. After Jacob Bethell was dismissed while batting for the Lions, he later turned out as a substitute fielder for England. The tourists also faced the occasional good-natured heckle from local fans.
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Part of the reason England limit their warm-up fixtures is the difficulty of replicating Test match conditions. The sluggish, low surface at the suburban club ground could hardly be less like the fast, lively pitch expected in Perth.
Mark Wood’s injury, however, remains the major worry. England hope he will be able to bowl again on Saturday, though that will hinge on the outcome of his scan on Friday.
Stokes, as ever, provided the day’s defining performance. Even in such understated surroundings, he reminded everyone why he remains England’s undisputed talisman.
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