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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. 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," stated Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to stay 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 conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he operates 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 visiting side could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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

He afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten 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 Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."