Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments
England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.
Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man 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 featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.