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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He might be a bit tired and just need a bit of 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."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated 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 carrying a problem draws significant attention.

Always keen 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 remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, 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 tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said 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."

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 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 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 probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided 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 determined so swiftly.

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 ongoing.

"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 about time we witnessed something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."