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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other 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 dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

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 star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

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

"My understanding is he goes 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 stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," noted former New Zealand international 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 limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied 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 pushing his body past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days 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 primary objective is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to achieve 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 extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."