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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.