Captain Stokes Feels 'Knackered' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl'

England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to score 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 bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

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

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, 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 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 likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for around 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 delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. 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 last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a history of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself 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 likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided 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 victor 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 highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"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."

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