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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

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 Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"Based on my knowledge, 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen 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 stay 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 conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 probably where he's at."

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

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I don't actually know. 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 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 to its absolute limit, 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 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 determined in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods 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 first goal is to extend this match 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," said 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 throw some haymakers."