Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "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 if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.