🔗 Share this article

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

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Grueling Innings

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 Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

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 stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know 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 visiting side could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate 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 probably a separate conversation with him," noted 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently was absent for 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 exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

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

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in just ten 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 decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

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

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

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