Ben Stokes made a triumphant return to cricket, claiming six wickets on the first day of England's warm-up match against the Lions in Perth. However, the day was marred by an injury concern over Mark Wood, who left the field due to a hamstring problem after bowling eight overs. Stokes, returning after a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells, all resulting in catches on the leg side. The Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface, with England's all-pace attack, including Stokes, proving too much for them. Despite the win, England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players, but Stokes hit back by calling the critics 'has-beens'. The day was low-key, with music playing from the dressing rooms and England team analyst Rupert Lewis running the drinks. Wood's injury is a huge concern, and England plan for him to bowl again on Saturday, but that will depend on the results of Friday's scan. As ever, Stokes was the headliner, reaffirming his position as England's talisman. However, the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia. Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour with a swiping 84, while Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, Thomas Rew, and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. The match was a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week, and the team's strategy for the first Test remains to be seen. The five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test, with Brydon Carse missing the first day due to illness and Joe Root asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. Despite the low-key surroundings, Stokes' performance was a reminder of his importance to the team, and his return to full pace bowling for two months has put England in a strong position for the Ashes.
