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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple conversations following his team's loss 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 now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away 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 respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

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