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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

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

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

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

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

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

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

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.