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

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

But, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.

This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

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

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good 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 concluded.