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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he operates at 100%," said Patel. "If he thinks he can't do it at 100%, I don't think he's going to do it. That's probably where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the drawn 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 history of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

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

If the visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in short periods respectively.

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

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-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 magical. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."