🏏 **Ben Stokes** Fitness Fears Grip Ashes Test 3

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Stokes boasts 25.87 avg, 8 wickets in Ashes incl. Perth 5-for
2🏆 No bowling in 66 overs despite leading England attack
3💡 Fatigue from 83 off 198 in 41°C heat, per Patel
4🔮 Day 4 crucial: Stokes return key to England miracle
5💬 'Knackered after huge efforts' - Jeetan Patel

"England captain hasn't bowled yet in Australia's second innings as hosts build daunting lead"

England captain Ben Stokes has not bowled a single over in Australia's second innings of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, sparking major fitness concerns as the hosts build a daunting lead towards sealing the series. After toiling 19 overs in the first innings - all on day one - Stokes, with England's best series average of 25.87 and 8 wickets including a five-for in Perth, stayed off the field despite Australia's march. This absence on day three, amid Travis Head's second century, leaves England trailing and fans anxious about their all-rounder's condition in this pivotal clash. The stakes couldn't be higher with the Ashes on the line.

Stokes' Herculean efforts define England's 'Bazball' era, but his body is showing cracks under the Adelaide heat. He resumed on 45 to grind out 83 off 198 balls over five hours in 41°C swelter, battling cramp and illness while battling for survival in England's 286. His series economy of 4.05 - second only to Jofra Archer - underscores his value, with 28 Test wickets in 2025 alone. Historically, captains like Mike Brearley managed fitness shrewdly, but Stokes' all-action style echoes Ian Botham's 1981 heroics, making this no-show a red flag for England's survival.

Tactical Toll: Stokes' Workload Under Microscope

Expert eyes see Stokes' absence as fatigue from extreme exertion, not injury, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel. His 19 overs in sapping conditions, plus fielding after a head bump, mirror 2023 Ashes comebacks from deficits. Stats reveal his dominance: 25.87 average, leading England's wickets, yet no arm turned in 66 overs of Australia's innings despite breakthroughs at 53-2 and 149-4. Compared to Botham's 5-1 at Headingley, Stokes' bowling threat could swing this, but tiredness risks a repeat of New Zealand 2024 back niggles.

Ashes Implications: Desperate Fightback Looms

Australia's lead, fueled by Head's ton, positions them to clinch the Ashes, echoing their 2023 dominance. For England, losing Stokes' bowling - their best performer - hampers 'Bazball' aggression, potentially ending series hopes. Career-wise, it tests Stokes' resilience post-ICC Test Player 2022 accolade, with comparisons to Shane Warne's captaincy burdens highlighting all-rounder pitfalls. England's standings plummet without his dual threat.

Road Ahead: Can Stokes Roar Back?

Day four demands Stokes' return to bowl, vital for restricting Australia and setting a chase. Fans must watch if fatigue eases or injury emerges, with Patel urging a 2023-style fightback. This saga underscores why Stokes captivates - his recovery could ignite England's miracle.