Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

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

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

However, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.