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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

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

"From what I understand, 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any suggestion 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 curious given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," said 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 limited his bowling was on the last day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

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

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination 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 days of play 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 extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

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

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