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

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready 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."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated 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 heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl 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 aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

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

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs 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 injury.

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

Facing Imminent Loss

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

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the opening two matches 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 determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to prolong the game 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 witnessed something special from us."

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