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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate 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 press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.

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

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.