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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit 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."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts 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 requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit 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 likely where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England bowled 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 never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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 problem.

Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested 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 another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination 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 victor 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 achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we witnessed something magical from us."

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