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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, he's quite ready 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, 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 needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"My understanding 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 tourists could have stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final 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 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 endangered himself if he pushed 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 initial three matches 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 playing days to win in England, has the winner 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 alive.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."