Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks
England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner 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 daunting target of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
