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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead 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 first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued 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 really exhausted and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling 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 aspirations of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts 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 perhaps a different discussion with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I don't actually know. 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 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 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 pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

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 sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome 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 days of play 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 fifth day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."