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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

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

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

Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.