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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, 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 his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

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

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.