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

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

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than 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 veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

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

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

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem attracts significant attention.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 alive, England had given up a first-innings lead 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 probably where he's at."

The visiting side could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably 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 risk, 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 tied 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 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.

On the Brink of Defeat

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 outcome of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective 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 alive.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we saw something special from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."