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

England opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

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

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has 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 have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.