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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to 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 after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

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

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope 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 the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.