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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

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

"Based on my knowledge, 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."

Past Fitness Concerns

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

Eager to be in the heat of battle, 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 aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 visiting side could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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

He afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

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 pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

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

If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective 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 still believe there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."