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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against 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 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.