The team skipper Ben Stokes is said to be "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, despite he abstained from bowling on the third day of a pivotal Ashes Test.
Stokes utilized five other bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.
The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the crease across two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.
During his marathon 198-ball stay, the 34-year-old was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered muscle cramps. He also needed a period off the field on Friday after hitting his head on the turf while attempting a stop.
"He could be a bit tired 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 expended a great deal out of himself to reach 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 draws significant attention.
Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious 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 aspirations of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.
"All I know is he operates 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 tourists could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for approximately 240 in their second knock and had slim hopes at certain scorelines, only for the home team to accelerate away through Travis Head's not out 142.
Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.
"He didn't bowl but that's probably a different discussion with him," said 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 liability, so he didn't bowl."
The most recent occasion Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final day of the drawn 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 pushing his body to its absolute limit, and it was suggested to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.
England are on the verge of another loss in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the initial three matches of the series.
If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the outcome of the Ashes has been decided in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days 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 first goal 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 opportunity for us," said Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we witnessed something magical from us."
"After three matches, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."
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