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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

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

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.