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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.