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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 day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also required time 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," stated Patel.

"From what I understand, 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 match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

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

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit 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 tourists could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

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

He afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a fifth 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 chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we witnessed something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."