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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was 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 certainly approach it like that," he continued.

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.