England Test captain Ben Stokes was “fit to bowl” despite not featuring with the ball as Australia built a significant lead on the third day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Travis Head smashed a brilliant unbeaten 142 as Australia finished a close game on 271-4, leading by 356 runs and pushing England, already 2-0 in the series, to the brink of Ashes defeat with two Tests to go.
Stokes top scored 83 in England’s first innings 286. This innings lasted over five hours on the second and third days, but the England captain appeared to be suffering from cramps in the scorching 40 degree heat on the second afternoon.
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Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain reviews day three of the Ashes of the Third Test in Adelaide as Travis Head’s century brings England closer to Ashes defeat.
Stokes then did not bowl himself for the first 66 overs of Australia’s second innings, but England bowling coach Jeetan Patel described him as simply “tired” rather than being absent due to injury.
“He’s put a lot of effort into himself to get through this point in the game,” Patel told reporters after Friday’s play. “I think he might be a little tired and just needs some time to himself right now.
“Everyone knows he was 80 per cent and not doing anything. Maybe he thought he was dangerous so he didn’t bowl.”
“If he doesn’t think he can do it at 100 per cent, I don’t think he’s going to do it and that’s probably where he is.
“My feeling is he’s just pretty exhausted.”
England captain Ben Stokes appeared to be struggling in Adelaide’s 40-degree heat during his second day at bat.
Stokes similarly did not bowl in the first 64 overs of the drawn Test between England and India at Old Trafford this summer, and although he bowled 11 on the fifth day, he subsequently missed the fifth Test at the Oval with a shoulder injury.
Having returned from that injury in time for The Ashes, England will be hoping Stokes does not suffer another setback following previous hamstring tears and knee injuries that derailed his international career.
As for England’s dwindling hopes for the Ashes, Patel called on Stokes’ side to achieve “something magical” over the final two days in Adelaide.
“I believe we still have a chance,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take something magical. I think it’s about time you saw something magical from us.
“Three games in, we’ve thrown some, but we’ve taken a lot. Now that we’re in a corner, it’s time to throw the haymakers back.”
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