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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "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 press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

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

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

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

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.