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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead 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 score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He might 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 expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered 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 nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

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

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn 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 probably where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

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

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last 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 reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury 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 initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."