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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

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

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

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

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious 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 aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 tourists 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 home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 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'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied 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 reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he pushed 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 visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the destination 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 primary objective 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 alive.

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

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