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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

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

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.