Skipper Ben Stokes Is 'Exhausted' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl'

The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized five other bowlers as the Australian side progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had earlier spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Demanding Knock

During his extended 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day 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," stated Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts significant attention.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes 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 match by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion 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."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the last day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently was absent for 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 risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined 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 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 witnessed something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers."