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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said 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.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

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

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.