Skipper Ben Stokes Feels 'Knackered' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl'

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

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

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

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might 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 expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious 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 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 probably where he's at."

The tourists could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion 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."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the last 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 driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed 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 initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days 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 Formidable Challenge

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

"I still believe there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us."

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