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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "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

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

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

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

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