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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "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.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

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

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

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.