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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.