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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"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 stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.