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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate 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 he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.