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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant 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 the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 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 suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 probably where he's at."

The tourists could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied 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 history of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put 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 are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests 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 greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe 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."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."