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Ben Stokes "Knackered" but Ready to Bowl as Australia Dominate Third Ashes Test

Posted : 19 December 2025

England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, remained off the bowling attack on day three of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, even as Australia accumulated a 356-run lead. Despite his absence with the ball, Stokes has been declared fit to bowl by the England coaching staff.

Australia’s Travis Head produced a brilliant unbeaten 142, guiding the hosts to 271-4 and leaving England perilously close to an Ashes series defeat, with the tourists already trailing 2-0. The match has put enormous pressure on the visitors with only two Tests remaining.

Stokes, who top-scored with 83 in England’s first innings of 286, batted for over five hours across days two and three. He was seen struggling with cramp under the intense 40-degree heat, highlighting the physical toll of the contest on the all-rounder.

The England captain’s absence from the bowling during the first 66 overs of Australia’s second innings prompted questions, but bowling coach Jeetan Patel explained it was due to fatigue rather than injury. Patel described Stokes as “knackered” after his marathon batting effort.

“Ben has given everything to get to this point in the game,” Patel said. “He’s a bit tired and just needs a moment to recover. He always operates at full intensity, and if he doesn’t feel he can bowl at 100 percent, he won’t take the risk.”

The decision underscores the workload on Stokes as a key all-rounder for England. Despite not bowling, his presence and leadership remain vital as the team faces a daunting challenge to turn around the series. Observers have praised his resilience, noting that he rarely holds back and consistently pushes himself to the limit.

With two Tests still to play, England must regroup and hope that Stokes can recover fully to contribute both with the bat and ball. His performance and stamina will be crucial if the visitors are to mount any comeback against a dominant Australian side.

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