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

England opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.