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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

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

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before this match, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

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

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

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