Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

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

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.