Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth 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," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

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

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.