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

The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the wicket across two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," stated 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 get through this point in the game."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury history – 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.

Always keen to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to stay in the Ashes series.

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

The tourists could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He didn't bowl but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said 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 most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final day of the drawn fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

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 exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined 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 decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective 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 ongoing.

"I still believe there's an chance 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 about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."