Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, 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 a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

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

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, 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 innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.