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

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, after the opener scored 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 anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

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

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.