Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

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

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.