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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 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 the previous day after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated 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 game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts 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 hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he operates 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 tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs 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 last day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a history of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested 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 stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat 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 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"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 high time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."