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

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

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

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

A Demanding Knock

Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready 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."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his complicated injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem attracts significant attention.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, 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 probably where he's at."

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

Although England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The last time Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied 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 history of driving himself past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat 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 outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in short periods 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 first goal is to prolong the game into a final 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 won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's high time we witnessed something magical 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."