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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes at 100%," remarked Patel. "If he thinks he can't do it at 100%, I don't think he's going to do it. That's likely where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," noted former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."