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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, after Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

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

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.