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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

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

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

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

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.