Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

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

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

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

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

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

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.