Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

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

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.