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

England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.