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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "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.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.