🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader. However, 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 everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down. The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches. Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played. A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position In Question While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader. However, 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 everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down. The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches. Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played. A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position In Question While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.