Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "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.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said 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 Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

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

But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.