Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on 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 "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

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