Skipper Ben Stokes Is 'Exhausted' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl'

England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, 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, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

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

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He could be a little fatigued and just need a bit of 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 get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

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

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

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

"My understanding 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 visiting side could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation 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."

Past Instances and Current Strain

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

He afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

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 pushed 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 visitors' defeat is completed on day four, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten 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 determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to prolong the game 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 still believe there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's high time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."