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

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

The versatile all-rounder 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 extended 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head 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 might be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, 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 game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem 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 last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

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

"All I know 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 visiting side could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

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

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, 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 subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a history 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 exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in short periods 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 Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we saw something special from us."

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