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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous 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 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn intact, 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 visiting side could have remained in the match by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a history of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted 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 visitors' defeat is sealed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided 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 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 remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."