The team skipper Ben Stokes is reportedly "worn out" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.
Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia moved to 271-4 in their follow-on, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the Adelaide Oval.
The versatile all-rounder had earlier battled for more than five hours at the crease over two days to compile 83 runs in England's initial batting effort.
Throughout his extended 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and experienced muscle cramps. He also required time off the field on the previous day after banging his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.
"He could be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," stated Patel.
"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the game."
Considering his complicated injury history – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.
Always keen to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was puzzling given it was England's final opportunity to remain alive in the Ashes series.
At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of winning back the Ashes alive, England had given up a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.
"My understanding 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 visiting side could have remained in the contest by dismissing Australia for around 240 in their second knock and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.
Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes did not use himself.
"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said 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."
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 subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.
Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, 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 yet another defeat 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 destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days 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.
If a first goal is to prolong the game into a fifth day, England will also have to achieve 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 high time we saw something magical from us."
"Three games in, we've thrown some but absorbed many. It's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to fight back fiercely."
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