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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday 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," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, 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 complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

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 remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead 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 probably where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate 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 perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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 problem.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, and it was suggested 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 stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 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 decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

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 alive.

"I still believe 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 saw something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."