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

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

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 veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. 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 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

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings lead 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 likely where he's at."

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

Although England bowled 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 doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, 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 afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

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 yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, 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 winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to extend this match 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," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."