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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.

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

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

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

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.