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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued and just require some 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 expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous 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' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

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

"My understanding 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 tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

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

Past Instances and Current Strain

The last time Stokes limited his 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 problem.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself 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.

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 visitors' defeat 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 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 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 ongoing.

"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."

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