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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per team 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 the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just require some 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 reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

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

The visiting side could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards 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 risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome 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 days of play to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."