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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could 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 pretty knackered 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 been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, 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 winning back the Ashes intact, 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 bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player 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."

Past Instances and Current Strain

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 endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on day four, 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

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