🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men". Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader. However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down. The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game." Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435. This means, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat. The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests 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 determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now." "There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men". Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader. However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down. The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game." Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435. This means, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat. The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests 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 determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now." "There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.