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

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of 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 get through this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious 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 alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes 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 probably where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by bowling out 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 chose not to bowl.

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

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own 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 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 stand on the edge of another loss 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 determined in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods 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 fifth 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 opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."