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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

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

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

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.