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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.