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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout 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 hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued 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 really exhausted and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling 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 aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, 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 probably where he's at."

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

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," said ex-New Zealand player 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 last time 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 injury.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, 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 likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a final 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 won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

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