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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

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

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.