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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

During 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 the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

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 stay in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," noted former New Zealand international 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."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion 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 injury.

Stokes has a history of driving himself past breaking point, 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 probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten days – the first and second Tests 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 winner 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 pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

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

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