🔗 Share this article

England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The dynamic player had earlier spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of 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."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he operates 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 remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the home team to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

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

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion 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 injury.

Stokes has a history of driving himself 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.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge 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 Saturday's fourth day, 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"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 about time we saw 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 fight back fiercely."