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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

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

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.