Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.