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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"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," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with 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 outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.