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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

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 everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

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 played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

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