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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-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 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

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

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.