Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, 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 a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.