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

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "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.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team'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 just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.