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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap 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 effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has 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 entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns 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 as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.