Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks
The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
