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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented 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 reach this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

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

Always keen 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 hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, 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 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 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 perhaps a different discussion with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. 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 curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

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

Stokes has a history of driving himself to its absolute limit, 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 initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 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 first goal is to extend this match 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," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something magical from us."

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