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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

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

"Based on my knowledge, 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

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding 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 knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last 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 put 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 stand on the edge 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 decided 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to extend this match 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 opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, 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."