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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl 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, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a little fatigued 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 match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack 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 regaining the urn alive, England had given up 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 stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team 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 probably a separate conversation with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

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 history of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

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 destination 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 days of play to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."