Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 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, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" 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 guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 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 returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.