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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one 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, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.