Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated 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," remarked Stokes.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.