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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, 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 a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

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

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

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

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

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

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

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.