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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket across two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered 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 might be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws significant attention.

Always keen 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 stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes 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 around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

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

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

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the outcome 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 decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

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