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

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

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

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"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 pretty fit 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 game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury history – 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 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 last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up 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 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 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted 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."

Precedent and Pressure

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 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 exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge 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 completed 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 victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective 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 ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we saw something magical 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 throw some haymakers."