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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

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

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "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 several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.