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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

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

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

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

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

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.