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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the wicket across two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old 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.

"Based on my knowledge, 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

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 tourists could have stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Even though England delivered 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 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 subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

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 opening two matches 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 primary objective is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."