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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player 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 hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging 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," commented Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling 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 regaining the urn intact, England had given up 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 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 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 limited his 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 problem.

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

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

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

"I still believe there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."