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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

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

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 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 at this point."

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

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.