England legend Steve Harmison has repeatedly voiced his concerns about Ben Stokes' chronic knee injury and the potential of him breaking down during the upcoming Ashes series.
This summer's Ashes will be crammed into a tight 46-day window and Harmison is worried Stokes' knee "could completely pack up on him" and leave England without their captain.
The 31-year-old has been crucial to England's rejuvenation and recently had an injection to try and help manage his knee issue. However, should Stokes' injury flare up against Australia and leave him unable to play, Harmison has suggested wicketkeeper Ben Foakes would be the "safest pair of hands" to fill in as skipper despite his own place in the side currently under threat.
"You've got to be realistic," Harmison told talkSPORT. "At some point this summer, Ben Stokes' knee could completely pack up on him.
"We've seen it in New Zealand, we don't know how it's going to go in the IPL and if that does [happen] then Rob Key and Brendon McCullum have got a decision to make. Do you go with somebody completely untried and untested in Ollie Pope?
"A young man, batting at number three which is a difficult place to bat. Do they go back to Joe Root cap in hand and say 'can you just get us to the end of the summer when Ben's fit'?
"Another [option] if something happened to Ben Stokes and possibly the safest pair of hands would be Ben Foakes. I know we're talking about whether he plays in the side or not, but the calming influence that Ben Foakes has in this group is massive.
"Against any team around the world in a bilateral series I would say 'Ollie Pope, off you go. Let's see some experience'. In the Ashes you need somebody who is completely level and with less emotions that go up and down."
The impending return of Jonny Bairstow from injury means Foakes' spot in England's Ashes side is far from secure, particularly given Harry Brook's impressive performances in Bairstow's absence. But the man himself remains unfazed about the uncertainty, demonstrating the "calming influence" Harmison has been so impressed with.
"Essentially there's just no benefit from me concerning myself with that," Foakes said. "I think the easiest way I've found to deal with it is not dealing with it – just not worrying about it.
"It's a distraction you don't need, it can muddle your thinking if you think 'this might happen, so I've got to do this or I've got to do extra'. It takes you away from what you do well and just makes your job more difficult.
"I'm happy with the way things have gone for me so it is a bit unique to be asked about [my place]. But I can't remember a time when I haven't been asked that stuff to be honest with you, since I started playing."
