[New post] Steve Harmison warns Ben Stokes over the Ashes as England captain insists he WILL play in the IPL despite knee injury
talkSPORT posted: " Steve Harmison believes it is 'impossible' for Ben Stokes to play in the Indian Premier League and be fully fit in time for the Ashes. Batting on day five of England's enthralling one-run defeat to New Zealand, Stokes was in severe pain and wa" talkSPORT
Steve Harmison believes it is 'impossible' for Ben Stokes to play in the Indian Premier League and be fully fit in time for the Ashes.
Batting on day five of England's enthralling one-run defeat to New Zealand, Stokes was in severe pain and was seen regularly clutching at his knee.
Stokes is battling a knee injury
"This guy has got a really high pain threshold," said Harmison on talkSPORT 2.
"Too high, that is probably the problem. But this is restricting his movement, big time.
"We've been watching it and seeing the demise of it this innings and this was the first time that he's [shown] the rest of the general public."
Stokes' knee injury has long been a concern, but has recently got worse and prevented him from performing any major role with the ball.
The 31-year-old bowled just two overs out of the 216 that England sent down in Wellington and has hardly been able to train between matches.
In December, Stokes was purchased for £1.6m by Chennai Super Kings, with the tournament set to begin on March 31.
"I think there's some brave decisions to be made because Ben Stokes is so important, so crucial, to England's chances of winning the Ashes," Harmison said.
"And I thought he might have gone to the IPL, played the Ashes and then fixed his knee.
"[But] looking at this I think that's impossible now. I think a big conversation between the medical team, Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, is how do we get you fit for June? Forget any other cricket, because that is the most important thing at this minute in time."
The England captain maintains he will still play in the IPL despite his fitness worries
At the close of play, Stokes himself conceded his frustration at not being able to play his full role for England, but insisted that he still plans to fulfil his contract with Chennai Super Kings.
"Don't worry, I'm going to the IPL," said Stokes.
"I've had conversations with Flem [Stephen Fleming, CSK head coach] and he's fully aware of the situation with my body at the moment. It's a week by week case at the moment.
"I'm not going to lie, it's incredibly frustrating knowing something is holding me back being able to fulfil my role.
"I've got a four month period now to get it even better before the Ashes, because I want to be turning up in Birmingham able to fulfil that role properly."
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