Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory 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 instances in the modern era.

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

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.