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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, following 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. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

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

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

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