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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

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

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate 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," added he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.