The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, according to assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the day three of a critical Ashes Test.
Stokes utilized five other bowlers as the Australian side moved to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.
The versatile all-rounder had previously spent over five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.
Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was hit on the helmet by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf 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 pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."
Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous 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' absence from the attack on Friday was puzzling given it was England's last chance to remain alive 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 deficit of 85 runs.
"My understanding is he operates 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 stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the home team 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 doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."
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 was absent for 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 pushed himself any further in Adelaide.
England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again probably facing defeat inside the first three Tests of the series.
If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been decided 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 victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.
If a primary objective is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the highest successful chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.
"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 special 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."
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