Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, following Crawley 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. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years 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 game."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.