🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men". Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader. But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind. The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests. A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain 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. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average. However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men". Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader. But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind. The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests. A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain 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. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average. However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.