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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

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