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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

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

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

"Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

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

The tourists 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 home team to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion 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."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the final 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 history of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed 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 first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests 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 Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."