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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

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

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

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

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

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.