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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted 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 needed to have done," said the England leader.

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

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

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.