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England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing 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 Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, 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

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem draws significant attention.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded 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 likely where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the match by bowling out Australia for approximately 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 delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted former New Zealand international Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs 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 last 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 driving himself past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods 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 prolong the game into a fifth 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 extraordinary. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."