Skipper Ben Stokes Feels 'Knackered' Yet Insists He's 'Ready to Bowl'

England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, according to team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.

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

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket across two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.

A Grueling Innings

During his extended 198-ball stay, 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 banging his head on the turf while attempting a stop.

"He might be a bit tired and just need a bit of 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 expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Considering his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny.

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

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit 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 visiting side could have stayed within the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently missed 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 put to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in short periods respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days 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 ongoing.

"I still believe there's an opportunity 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 special from us."

"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."