Ben Stokes has been backed to produce his best cricket in the Ashes after wowing fans at the IPL over the next two months.
The England Test captain has linked up with his new franchise, Chennai Super Kings, and is set to take the field as a batter only in the opening clash on Friday. But after having what are believed to be cortisone injections in his troublesome left knee, he is expected to take on a full all-rounder role in the latter stages.
And CSK batting coach Mike Hussey reckons that the same all action style Stokes has brought to so many Ashes contests in the past will be on full display come July.
“The physios from Chennai and the ECB are working pretty closely together,” said Hussey. “This franchise is very professional and works very closely with all the national boards. I want a fit Ben Stokes playing his best cricket at the Ashes.
“He’s ready to go as a batsman from the start, the bowling might be wait and see. I know he had his first very light bowl this week since he had his injections in his knee.
“My understanding is he won’t be bowling much at all in the first few games of the tournament, or it might be a few weeks, I’m not 100 per cent sure. But hopefully we’ll get him bowling at some stage in the tournament.
“From an Australian perspective I’m going to hope he bowls 20 or 30 overs in the nets. We’ll be running him into the ground and I’ll be making sure he does extra weight sessions and run throughs to put pressure on that body.
“I’m joking obviously. I want to see his best cricket at the Ashes; I want both teams at their best, going hard at it, and I think it will be an unbelievable series to watch."
Just like the players at the IPL, Hussey has become a consultant coach for hire across a number of domestic tournaments and even international lines.
From CSK the former Aussie middle order batter will turn his attention to The Hundred as the new head coach of the Welsh Fire and he was even a part of the England backroom staff for the T20 World Cup win in Australia in November.
His experience in the game is second to none and as a dynamic left handed batter himself, will be working closely with Stokes to bring out his best in a new IPL environment for the 31-year-old.
“He’s going to be huge for us at Chennai too,” added Hussey. “Particularly if we can get him bowling. Having those all-rounders is really important.
“He’s only had a couple of net sessions and looks to be hitting the ball really well. That’s really exciting.
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to play in Chennai for a few years. For the first home game the atmosphere is going to be out of this world. I can’t wait and I’m sure Stokesy is going to absolutely love it.
“That’s the thing with those big players, they generally like a big stage and perform their best on it. Once he gets out there in Chepauk Stadium in front of an unbelievably loud crowd, I hope it’s going to bring out the best in him.”
