🔗 Share this article Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader. But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series. Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like 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 Australia spinner Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests. A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss. This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era. "This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy. Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average. But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader. But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series. Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like 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 Australia spinner Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests. A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss. This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era. "This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy. Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average. But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.