Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

But, after the opener scored 85 on the fourth 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 a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

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

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

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

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.