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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

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

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"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

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.