Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

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

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

But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

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

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

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.