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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

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

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

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

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

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

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

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

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