Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.