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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

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

The versatile all-rounder 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

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last 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 puzzling 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 winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes 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 bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final day of the drawn 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 reputation of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury 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 outcome 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 days of play to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to achieve the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity 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 fight back fiercely."