Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.