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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, after the opener 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 a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, 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 innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.