Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in several interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, 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 subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.