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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, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws 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 last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings lead 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate 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 perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted 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 last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last 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 problem.

Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body 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 another loss 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 just ten days – the first and second Tests 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 decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal 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 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 magical from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."