🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the Adelaide 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 the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader. However, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests. Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era. "This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Place In Question Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy. In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the Adelaide 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 the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader. However, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests. Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era. "This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Place In Question Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy. In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.