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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

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

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued and just require some 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 expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

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

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded 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 probably where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently was absent for 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 endangered himself 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 tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in just ten days – the first and second Tests 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an chance 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 about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."