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

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

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

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

However, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man 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 returned a lower average.

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

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.