Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

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

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.