Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored 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 press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.