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

England opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.