🔗 Share this article Skipper Stokes Is 'Exhausted' Yet Insists He's 'Ready to Bowl' By a Chief Cricket Reporter Reporting from the famous cricket ground Published recently England's captain Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he abstained from bowling on the day three of a critical Ashes Test. Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue. The versatile all-rounder had earlier spent over five hours at the crease across two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings. A Demanding Knock Throughout his marathon 198-ball innings, the 34-year-old was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop. "He might be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel. "Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to reach this point in the match." Injury History Scrutiny Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue draws significant attention. Eager to be in the heat of battle, 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 needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs. "All I know is he goes at 100%," said 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 knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142. Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself. "He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," noted ex-New Zealand player Patel. "I don't actually know. 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 most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own 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 problem. Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, 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 stand on the edge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the initial three matches of the series. If the tourists' loss is completed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been determined in just ten days – the opening two matches were over in short periods 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 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 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 magical from us." "After three matches, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to fight back fiercely."