Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss 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 required," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

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

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.