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

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

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

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.