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The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" 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 a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier spent over five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a little fatigued 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 pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he operates 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 contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said former New Zealand international Patel.

"I don't actually know. 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 last 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 injury.

Stokes has a history of driving himself to its absolute limit, 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 likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches 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 two and four days 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 Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful 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 extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."