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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" 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 the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier spent over five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

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

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.

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

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

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

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

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

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted ex-New Zealand player 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 curtailed his own 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 history of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days 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 prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we saw something magical from us."

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