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

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

However, after the opener made 85 on the fourth 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 anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has 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 something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

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

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.