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

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated 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 reach this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws significant attention.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to pull 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 probably 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his 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 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 probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss 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 days of play to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an chance 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 special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."