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

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

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

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

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

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

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

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

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"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. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.