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

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

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

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out 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 issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

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

This means, Australia need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.