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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

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

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.