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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem draws significant attention.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 visiting side could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for around 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.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," said former New Zealand international 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 last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards 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 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 initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined 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 playing days 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 final day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."