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

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

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

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

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

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

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

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

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

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.