Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

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

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

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

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.