🔗 Share this article Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches. Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge. "It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss. This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Position In Question Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches. Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge. "It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss. This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Position In Question Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.