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

The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player 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 extended 198-ball stay, 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 banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

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

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Given his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any suggestion 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 stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings lead 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 likely 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 certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a different discussion with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

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 afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

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

On the Brink of Defeat

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

If the tourists' loss is sealed 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 determined so swiftly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a first goal 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 alive.

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

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."