Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

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

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

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

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.