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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He might be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

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

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 probably where he's at."

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

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

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

"I'm not entirely sure. 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 last time Stokes limited his 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 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.

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 completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

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 still believe there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about 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 fight back fiercely."