🔗 Share this article

England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his marathon 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued 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 get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

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

Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity 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 conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"All I know is he goes 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 probably where he's at."

The visiting side could have remained in the contest 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 not out 142.

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

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

"I'm not entirely sure. 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 final day of the drawn 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 driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted 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 tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in just ten 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 winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a first goal is to extend this match 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," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. 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 about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."