Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure 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 poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.