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

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

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

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

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

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