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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"Based on my knowledge, 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 game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Always keen 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 remain alive 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 deficit 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 likely where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the tied 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 reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, 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 probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. 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."