Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

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

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.