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<\/p>\nStokes even had his head in both of hands, then opened his hands as if to say: \u201cWhat was that?\u201d to teammate Joe Root, before dropping his hands to his hips in a stunned tea-cup pose after all-rounder Will Jacks flicked a mid-tracker and was caught by Archer in the fine-leg region.<\/p>\n
Jacks, who top scored with 84 in the Lions\u2019 382, was also flummoxed by his own poor shot, holding that pose for a brief moment.<\/p>\n
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Mark Wood bowled eight overs in England\u2019s practice match against the Lions on Thursday in Perth.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
England could argue that these dismissals highlight why the developing Lions are here \u2013 because they need to experience Australian pitches and learn to deal with a rising ball.<\/p>\n
Stokes\u2019 half-trackers could be a tactic he uses against Australia on what is likely to be an Optus Stadium deck with more pace and bounce than Lilac Hill. But it\u2019s also likely he doesn\u2019t expect the home team\u2019s top-order to fall to such inept shots, raising the question \u2013 as English supporters have done on social media in response to these six dismissals \u2013 why did the tourists opt against playing an Australian state XI in a serious match?<\/p>\n
England great Ian Botham has repeatedly said the tourists should have had a tougher preparation by playing a state side, describing their current schedule as \u201cbordering on arrogance\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Like England\u2019s former all-rounder, Ian Botham, Stokes has an uncanny knack of taking wickets with deliveries that appear innocuous.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
However, former Australian batsman Simon Katich says England\u2019s decision could work in their favour, for it has not given any Australians the chance to poke holes in their game first-hand in local conditions.<\/p>\n
As the warm-up match continues, the tourists are awaiting the results of a precautionary scan on Wood\u2019s stiff left hamstring.<\/p>\n
The speedster, 35, complained of an issue on Thursday, having taken 0-29 from eight overs, spread over two four-over spells, before leaving the field.<\/p>\n
A team spokesman said on Friday the results of the scans may not be known until Saturday.<\/p>\n
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While the board\u2019s initial statement on Thursday said Wood was expected to bowl again on Saturday, the London Telegraph reported he was likely to miss the Perth Test.<\/p>\n
If he does miss, Wood\u2019s absence would be a major blow, for he is arguably the tourists\u2019 most dangerous bowler. His express pace and ability to extract dangerous bounce make him a pivotal player in this series, particularly if he could pair with fellow pace ace Archer in a fearsome new-ball pairing, as Stokes had flagged.<\/p>\n
Of his 37 Tests, 11 have been against Australia, for 41 wickets at 27.48.<\/p>\n
However, Wood\u2019s career has been marred by injury, this match his first competitive fixture since February due to persistent injury problems.<\/p>\n