🔗 Share this article Skipper Ben Stokes Feels 'Knackered' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl' From the Chief Reporter At the Adelaide Oval Posted within the last hour England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test. Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue. 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 initial batting effort. A Grueling Innings During his marathon 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after banging his head on the ground while attempting a stop. "He could be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated 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 Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws considerable scrutiny. Eager 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 requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded 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 likely where he's at." The visiting side could have remained in the match by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142. Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl. "He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion 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 risk, so he didn't bowl." Precedent and Pressure 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 afterwards missed the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury. Stokes has a reputation of pushing his body past breaking point, and it was put 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 are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series. If the tourists' loss is sealed on day four, 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 days of play to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been decided this quickly. A Formidable Challenge If a first goal 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 remain convinced there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we witnessed something special from us." "After three matches, we've landed some blows but absorbed many. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."