Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, after the opener made 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. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

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

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

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

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.