Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.