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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.

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

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

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

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.