Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

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

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed 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 Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

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

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