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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

However, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"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 Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years 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 entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

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

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.