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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

"He could be a bit tired 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 really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 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.

"My understanding is he operates 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 tourists could have remained in the match by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England delivered 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 never performs 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 tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

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

Stokes has a history of driving himself past breaking point, and it was put 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 yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat 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 two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days 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 pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced 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 absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."