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

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

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

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming 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 innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.