🔗 Share this article Skipper Ben Stokes Is 'Exhausted' Yet Insists He's 'Ready to Bowl' By a Chief Cricket Reporter Reporting from the famous cricket ground Posted within the last hour England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "physically able" to deliver overs, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test. Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue. The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's initial batting effort. A Demanding Knock During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Starc and experienced bouts of cramp. He also required time off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the ground while attempting a stop. "He might be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel. "Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the game." Past Fitness Concerns Given his complicated injury past – 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. Always keen 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 stay in the Ashes series. At trailing 2-0 and needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, 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 probably where he's at." The visiting side could have stayed within the match by dismissing Australia for approximately 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 bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself. "He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a different discussion 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 most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the final day of the tied 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 history of pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted 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 visitors' defeat is sealed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided in just ten 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 victor of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly. A Daunting Task Ahead If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off 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 will be difficult, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us." "Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."