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

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

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

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

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.