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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously spent over 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 stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued 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 get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge of another loss 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 outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something special from us."

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