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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal 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 Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier spent over five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, he's quite ready 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."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding 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 probably where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by dismissing 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.

Although England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

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

He afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in 10 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 victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about 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 backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."