England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.
Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.
The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.
During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.
"He could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.
"Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready 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."
Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be carrying a problem attracts significant attention.
Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.
At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.
"My understanding 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 remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.
Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.
"He didn't bowl 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 risk, so he didn't bowl."
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 injury.
Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.
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 tourists' loss is completed on day four, 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 victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.
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 remain convinced there's an chance for us," said Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something special from us."
"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."
A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in online gambling, specializing in slot machine reviews and player strategy.
