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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

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

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

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.