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

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

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 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 successive overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

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

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

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

Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.