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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before this match, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

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

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

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

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test 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.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.