England endured a bittersweet opening day to their Ashes warm-up in Perth, as Ben Stokes marked his long-awaited return with a superb six-wicket haul while fellow fast bowler Mark Wood suffered a fresh injury scare.
The England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low Lilac Hill pitch, but the promising start for the senior side was overshadowed by Wood’s early withdrawal.
Stokes, playing his first competitive match since July following a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three carefully managed spells. His figures of 6-52 were testament to his control and sharpness, with all six wickets coming via catches on the leg side.
His performance offered England a timely boost ahead of the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium on 21 November.
However, the optimism generated by Stokes’ return was dented when Wood, himself making a comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, left the field during the afternoon session.
The 34-year-old fast bowler had bowled eight pre-planned overs but appeared to suffer a hamstring issue. He will undergo a scan on Friday to assess the extent of the damage, raising concerns about his availability for the opening Test.
Wood’s exit drained momentum from England’s day, especially after an uncontested toss allowed them to maximise bowling workloads before the start of the Ashes.
The tourists opted for an all-pace attack, selecting four seam specialists alongside Stokes while leaving off-spinner Shoaib Bashir with the Lions. The tactical move may hint at their strategy for the series opener in Perth, where pace has traditionally been favoured.
For the Lions, several batters made strong contributions despite the steady fall of wickets. Will Jacks was the standout performer with an aggressive 84, strengthening his case for involvement later in the tour. His innings featured a flurry of boundaries, showcasing both timing and confidence.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenager Thomas Rew, and Matthew Potts also struck half-centuries, helping the Lions reach a competitive total.
Their resilience was notable, even as Stokes repeatedly found ways to break partnerships. Cox and Rew, in particular, impressed against England’s senior attack, demonstrating the depth of talent emerging within the Lions setup.
In contrast, Jacob Bethell missed an opportunity to push his Test credentials, falling for just two runs. His early dismissal came at a time when competition for batting spots remains fierce within the senior squad.
As England reflect on a day that combined encouragement with renewed concern, much will hinge on Wood’s scan results. With the Ashes opener only days away, Stokes’ successful return may prove vital—but Wood’s fitness could dictate the balance and firepower of England’s bowling attack moving forward.
