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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

However, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory 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 instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.