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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, he 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.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal 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 – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

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

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.