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

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

The dynamic player had earlier spent over five hours at the crease over two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. 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 could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, 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."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

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

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion with him," said ex-New Zealand player 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 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 subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation 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 are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in just ten 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 extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."