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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem 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 final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate 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 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."

Precedent and Pressure

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 afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a history of driving himself past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten 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 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 first goal is to prolong the game 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 extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."