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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

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

"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 issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, 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 the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

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

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – 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 noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.