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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

However, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

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

The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, 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 Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

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

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 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 triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

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

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.