🔗 Share this article Captain Ben Stokes Feels 'Knackered' Yet Remains 'Fit to Bowl' From the Chief Reporter At the famous cricket ground Published within the last hour England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "physically able" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test. Stokes deployed five other bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their second innings, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue. The versatile all-rounder had previously battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings. A Grueling Innings During his extended 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball. "He might be a little fatigued and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel. "Based on my knowledge, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to reach this point in the match." Past Fitness Concerns Given his chequered injury past – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any indication the Durham man might be carrying a problem draws considerable scrutiny. Always keen 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 needing to win in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn intact, England had conceded a first-innings deficit 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 tourists could have remained in the contest by bowling out Australia for approximately 240 in their second innings and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142. Even though England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl. "He abstained from bowling but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," noted former New Zealand international 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 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 driving himself to its absolute limit, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have risked injury if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide. Facing Imminent Loss England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series. If the visitors' defeat 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 short periods respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the winner of an Ashes series been determined so swiftly. A Daunting Task Ahead If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a final day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive. "I remain convinced there's an chance 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 with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."