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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.

This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

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

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. 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 In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.