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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

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

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

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

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with 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 loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England 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 modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – 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 played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.