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Ben Stokes claims six wickets in Ashes warm-up as Mark Wood injury raises concerns
Perth - England captain Ben Stokes marked his return from a four-month shoulder injury with a six-wicket haul in their Ashes warm-up against England Lions on Thursday, but the tourists' preparations suffered a setback after fast bowler Mark Wood left the field with a hamstring issue.
The Lions, batting first after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill, were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch. Stokes, bowling for the first time since July, finished with figures of 6-52, with all his dismissals caught on the leg side. Meanwhile, Wood-playing his first competitive match in nine months following knee surgery-bowled eight overs before exiting in the afternoon session. A scan on Friday will determine the severity of his injury.
Stokes shines in low-key return
Stokes, who missed England's final Test against India in the summer due to a torn shoulder, bowled 16 overs across three spells. His wickets included Lions captain Tom Haines, Jacob Bethell, and Jordan Cox, all caught attempting leg-side shots. Later, he dismissed Tom Lawes and Will Jacks in similar fashion, reinforcing his role as England's linchpin ahead of the Ashes.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere-complete with music from the dressing rooms and occasional heckles from the sparse crowd-Stokes' performance offered a rare bright spot. His return to full bowling fitness after two months of build-up comes as England seek to reclaim the Ashes, a task that would prove far tougher without their captain.
"We've got to front up as a group."
Jonny Bairstow, England wicketkeeper-batter
Wood's injury overshadows warm-up
Wood's hamstring concern cast a shadow over the day. The 35-year-old, who last played in February, had been managed carefully, bowling a pre-planned eight overs before his premature exit. England had hoped to use this match to build match fitness, particularly for their pace attack, but Wood's status for the first Test-starting November 21 at Optus Stadium-now hangs on Friday's medical assessment.
His absence would be a significant blow. England's attack, already without the injured Shoaib Bashir (omitted from this XI), relied heavily on pace, with Stokes, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Matthew Fisher sharing the workload. Archer, in particular, impressed with his pace and hostility, finishing with 1-49, while Tongue claimed a wicket in place of the ill Brydon Carse.
Lions batsmen stake claims amid England's selection dilemmas
While England's bowlers toiled, the Lions' batting lineup featured several standout performances. Will Jacks, pushing for a Test call-up later in the series, top-scored with an aggressive 84 off 85 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. His innings, nearly at a run a ball, may have nudged him ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell, who managed just two runs in a 25-ball stay.
Ben McKinney (67), Jordan Cox (53), and 17-year-old Thomas Rew (50) also posted half-centuries, while Matthew Potts contributed an unbeaten 53 before falling to the final ball of the day, bowled by Archer. Joe Root, pressed into service for 14 overs of off-spin in Bashir's absence, conceded 117 runs but claimed the wicket of Matt Fisher, who mistimed a full toss to mid-on.
Questions linger over warm-up strategy
England's decision to play just one warm-up match-a three-day game against their own Lions side-has drawn criticism from former players, including Michael Vaughan. Stokes dismissed the detractors as "has-beens," but the slow, low bounce at Lilac Hill offered little resemblance to the conditions expected at Optus Stadium, where the first Test will be played in front of a sellout crowd.
The tourists had opted to field first to give their bowlers much-needed overs, but the pitch's lack of pace and Wood's injury disrupted their plans. England's attack, likely to feature four seamers and Stokes in the first Test, will now await Wood's scan results before finalizing their preparations. Meanwhile, the Lions' batsmen used the opportunity to press their cases, leaving England's selectors with food for thought as the Ashes loom.
Key moments
- 10:30 (local) - Stokes removes Haines with his fifth delivery, setting the tone for his six-wicket haul.
- 13:45 (local) - Wood leaves the field with a hamstring issue after bowling eight overs.
- 15:20 (local) - Jacks reaches his half-century off 52 balls, bolstering his Test claims.
- 17:50 (local) - Archer dismisses Potts with the day's final ball, wrapping up the Lions' innings for 382.
What's next
England's XI will begin their first innings on day two, with Stokes and Wood's fitness under close watch. Wood is tentatively scheduled to bowl again on Saturday, pending his scan results. The first Ashes Test begins at Optus Stadium on November 21.
