Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.

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

However, after 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. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.