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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

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

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss 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 Tests.

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

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

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

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

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.