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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

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

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager 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 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded 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 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 home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, 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 afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself 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 tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests 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 Daunting Task Ahead

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

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," stated 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 about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."