Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

However, following Crawley scored 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 everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"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. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.