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

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored 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 press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.