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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, 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 press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" comment after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

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

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

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