🔗 Share this article

England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" 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 deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a little fatigued and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented 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

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit 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 likely where he's at."

The tourists could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a different discussion with him," said 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the last 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 injury.

Stokes has a history of driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something special from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."