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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

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

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.