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

England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" 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 critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative 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 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 extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

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

"From what I understand, 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

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

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity 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 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 remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to accelerate away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

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

"He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I'm not entirely sure. We all know he never performs at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Precedent and Pressure

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his 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 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 endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

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 outcome of the Ashes has been decided in just ten 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 winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a final 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 chance for us," said 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."

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