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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

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

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

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded 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 likely where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation 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 last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards was absent for 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 likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed 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 short periods 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 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 chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."