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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging 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 quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through 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 last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, England had given up a first-innings lead 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 contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to pull 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 perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the drawn 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 driving himself 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.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in 10 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 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 greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."