🔗 Share this article

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

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

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

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit 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 likely 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 home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

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

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes curtailed his own 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 problem.

Stokes has a history 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.

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 destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests 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 determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective 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 ongoing.

"I still believe 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 saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."