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The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier spent over five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old 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 trying to field the ball.

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

"Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready 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."

Past Fitness Concerns

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

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had given up a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes 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 stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a different discussion 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 limited his 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 injury.

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.

On the Brink of Defeat

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

If the tourists' loss is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the opening two matches 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 winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I still believe there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."