🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played. Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62. A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "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 externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played. Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62. A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "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 externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.