Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, following the opener made 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. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

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

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.