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Ashes Mystery: Why Ben Stokes Didn't Bowl Amid England's Adelaide Struggle

England's assistant coach has cleared up the confusion about their captain's fitness. Jeetan Patel says Ben Stokes is perfectly fit to bowl but was simply exhausted after his long batting effort. This comes as Australia tightens its grip on the Adelaide Test, building a massive lead. England now needs something truly special to get back into this match.

Key Points: Jeetan Patel Says Ben Stokes Fit to Bowl in Adelaide Ashes Test

  • Patel clarifies Stokes' fitness, attributing his absence to sheer exhaustion from batting effort
  • Stokes' emotional 83-run innings took a significant physical toll on the all-rounder
  • England faces a monumental task, trailing by 356 runs with Australia 271/4 in their second innings
  • Jofra Archer's five-wicket haul was a rare bright spot for England in the first innings
3 min read

He's pretty fit to bowl: Jeetan Patel on Ben Stokes bowling fitness during Adelaide Test

England assistant coach Jeetan Patel explains Ben Stokes' bowling absence was due to exhaustion, not injury, as Australia builds a huge lead in the 3rd Ashes Test.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered... - Jeetan Patel"

Adelaide, December 19

England assistant coach Jeetan Patel has said that their captain Ben Stokes is fit to bowl in the remainder of the ongoing third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Patel has suggested that exhaustion may have been the primary reason behind Stokes' absence from the attack on day three of the Adelaide Test on Friday.

Stokes bowled 19 overs for England in the first innings against Australia. The England captain didn't bowl over the Aussies' 66 overs stay at the crease on day three, despite owning England's best bowling average (25.87) in the series and leading the team's wicket-taking charts in Tests in 2025 with 28 scalps.

"From what I understand, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just pretty knackered and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the game," said Patel as quoted by ICC.

The assistant coach, Patel, felt the emotional and physical investment of Stokes' innings, which ended on 83, compounded the fatigue.

"The disappointment of the way he got out this morning, well not the way, it was a pretty good delivery, but all the work he had done to get to the position where he was, where we could press on again and push that partnership further, that took a lot out of him as well and then you get that early wicket and the energies are up and all of a sudden it's not quite where you think it's going," Patel added.

"We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a risk, so he didn't bowl. I'm very optimistic of where we could take it. It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. Three games in, we've thrown some but taken a lot and I think it's about time, now we're backed into a corner, to throw some haymakers back," he added.

Coming to the match, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 94/4 courtesy some incredible bowling from Archer, a 91-run stand between Usman Khawaja (82 in 126 balls, with 10 fours) and Alex Carey brought the Aussies back in the game.

Carey went on to get his first Ashes ton, scoring 106 in 143 balls, with eight fours and a six. Starc (54 in 75 balls, with eight fours) also continued a dream run with the bat as the Aussies piled on 371 runs. Archer (5/53) was exceptional for England, while Brydon Carse and Tongue got a couple each.

Later, England slipped to 168/8 in their first innings, with Ben Stokes (83 in 198 balls, with eight fours) and Jofra Archer (51 in 105 balls, with five fours and a six) putting on a hundred partnership and ending the innings at 286 all out, trailing by 85 runs.

Australia ended their day at 271/4, with Head (142*), Alex Carey (52* in 91 balls, with four boundaries) putting on a century partnership and giving Australia a massive 356-run lead.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The mental fatigue after getting out on 83 must be huge. You can see the disappointment. It's not just physical. Hope he bounces back for a competitive series.
A
Arjun K
Respect to Stokes for giving his 100% always. But honestly, if he's exhausted, maybe England should have planned their squad better. They can't expect one man to bat, bowl, and captain at full intensity every game. Other players need to step up.
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Priya S
This is why test cricket is the ultimate test! It's not just skill, it's stamina and mental strength over five days. Archer bowled well though. The Ashes drama continues! 😅
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Michael C
As a neutral observer, it's fascinating. The article says he leads their wicket-taking charts in 2025. If your best bowler is too tired to bowl, that's a serious strategic problem for England going into day four with a huge deficit.
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Kavya N
"He doesn't do anything at 80%" – that's the spirit! But sometimes you have to be smart, not just brave. Saving himself for a crucial spell later might be wiser. Australia is in a commanding position.

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