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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

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

However, following Crawley scored 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 anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"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 something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win 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 occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.