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

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

The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"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 complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts significant attention.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations 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%," 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 visiting side could have stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

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

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything 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 problem.

Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat 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 just ten days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

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 still believe there's an chance for us," said 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 absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."