England will need to summon the spirit of 2005 if they’re to regain The Ashes from Australia and one man who knows all about that series is Steve Harmison.
The former Durham bowler was a key part of the pace attack that unsettled Australia’s batsmen 18 summers ago and he’s confident one man will play in the remaining tests that require England to win both to reclaim the urn.
Ben Stokes has been England’s key man so far this series, but the skipper hasn’t been able to prevent his side being 2-1 down as they go into the fourth test at Old Trafford this week.
The all-rounder has looked battered at times as he nurses multiple injuries, but Harmison believes there’s no way that he won't partake in the rest of the series.
“I think if Ben Stokes could get a zimmer frame at mid-off, he'd have a zimmer frame at mid-off,” said Harmison when speaking to OnlineCricketBetting.
“There's no way in the world that Ben isn't going to play. Even if they lose this one, he'll play at the Oval, that's what he's like. Ben on crutches, or a zimmer frame at first slip and a five-run penalty every time the ball hit it, Ben would be there.
“There is no doubt that he will struggle to bowl but the one thing he has done very well is show his leadership qualities in the field. I don't have any issue, forget his knee, because he will be there at the Oval. He's not going anywhere, and he'll be in it with his team right until the very end.”