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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just need a bit of 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 game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, 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 requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England delivered 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'm not entirely sure. 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 last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the tied 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 driving himself past breaking point, 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 visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in short periods respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an chance 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 magical from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."