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

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

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

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to move to 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 will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

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

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.