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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

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

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure 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 poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.