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

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

However, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with 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 defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

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

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.