Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

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

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.