Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, following the opener scored 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 anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.