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

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

The versatile all-rounder 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 Grueling Innings

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just require some 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."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws significant attention.

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

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded 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 remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion 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 subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation 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.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

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

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