England captain Ben Stokes announced he is ready for the Ashes after picking up six wickets on the first day of indoor warm-up against Andrew Flintoff’s Lions in Perth.
Stokes has not played since July, when he suffered a shoulder strain against India, but he led the Lilac Hill attack and proved he is firmly on track for the opening Test.
He took two wickets in each of Thursday’s three sessions to help the second string reach 382-10 at Stamps, taking 6-52 from 16 overs.
Stokes has faced intense criticism from the local media since arriving in Perth, with Tom Haynes, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Laws and Will Jacks all dismissed and reminded of his own threats.
Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tan and Joe Root each took charge of the wicket.
Jacks was the Lions’ top scorer with 84 of 85 pitches.
England vice-captain Harry Brook said: “It was a decent day. The wicket was good too, so it’s good to get out there and work your legs and get the bowlers bowling a few spells each.”
“We obviously haven’t spent a lot of time together over the last few months, but it was a successful day for us to come together as a group, get back on the pitch and strive for 10 wickets.
“I’m looking forward to (batting on Friday). I hope it’s another great day in Perth and we can rack up some runs.”
And on Stokes’ return performance, Brook added: “He’s a proper player, right?
“It’s good to have him back on the side and leading from the front.”
England captain Ben Stokes is handed the ball by Jofra Archer on the morning of the first Ashes warm-up match.
Will Bethel miss out on a chance to start No. 3?
Bethel dragged short balls to square leg and scored just two runs off 17 balls, making it look increasingly unlikely that Ollie Pope would be removed from the No.3 slot.
After a lean white-ball tour of New Zealand, Bethel needed to make a statement to increase the pressure on the incumbent, but failed to deliver.
On the outside ground, there was plenty of momentum but modest pace, with Durham opener Ben McKinney scoring 67 points and getting tongue-lashed just after lunch, and Cox scoring a brisk 53 points.
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Stokes sent a message to the less experienced members of the team that although The Ashes were “different”, they had “nothing to fear”.
Cox and Ahmed both chased down Stokes’ bouncers, showing the all-rounder’s ability to force breakthroughs where Archer, Atkinson and Mark Wood were unable to.
Wood, playing for the first time in nine months, overcame two strong four overs, but left the field before the tea break, with Bethel crossing the side to take his place.
Wood felt tightness in his hamstring and will undergo a preventive test on Friday.
England left spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the eleven with a possible nod to their intentions for the first Test, but he will get a chance to make an impression when the Lions bowl in their second innings.
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Stokes said England had worked hard to prepare for the first Ashes Test against Australia on November 21, following criticism of the tourists’ preparations.
Australian Ashes Series 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
First Test: Friday 21st November – Tuesday 25th November (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth Second Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December – Monday 8th December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test: Wednesday 17th December – Sunday 21st December (12am) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25th December – Monday 29th December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground Fifth Test: Sunday 4th January – Thursday 8th January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
