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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

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

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.

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

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.