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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.