Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

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

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain 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," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record 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.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.