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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity 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 intact, 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 visiting side could have remained in the match by bowling out 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 delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps 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."

Precedent and Pressure

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

He subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a history 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 yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined 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 winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a final 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 chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high 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 fight back fiercely."