Overview
- Mark Wood reported left hamstring stiffness after eight overs and was sent for a precautionary scan, leaving his availability for the November 21 Perth opener in doubt as results are awaited.
- Ben Stokes returned to bowling with 6-52, but highlights showed all dismissals came from leg-side catches off short balls, leading to doubts about the true value of the haul.
- The England Lions reached 382 on a benign Lilac Hill surface at 4.8 an over as frontline pacers struggled, with Joe Root conceding 1-117 from 14 overs.
- England chose only one red-ball warm-up against their Lions and fielded an all-pace attack, a plan criticized by former players even as Stokes defended the schedule constraints.
- Questions persist over Jofra Archer’s readiness after limited net work on arrival and figures of 1-49 from 12.3 overs, adding to selection concerns for Optus Stadium.