Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

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

But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate 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 anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

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

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.