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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

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

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, after the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

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

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

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 order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.