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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.