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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

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

"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" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

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

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

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

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

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

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

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.