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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

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

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

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

Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six 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 journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

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