Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

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

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place 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 the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.