Skipper Stokes Is 'Exhausted' Yet Insists He's 'Ready to Bowl'

The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed five other bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.

The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket across two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop.

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

"Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach 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 last four series – any suggestion the Durham man might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the thick of the action, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance 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 intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead 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 visiting side could have remained in the match by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation 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 tied 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 past breaking point, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the visitors' defeat is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"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 saw something magical from us."

"After three matches, we've thrown some but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."