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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the wicket across two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit 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 match."

Past Fitness Concerns

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

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 probably where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

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

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, 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 afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation 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.

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 sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided 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 Formidable Challenge

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

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

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."