Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 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," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after 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 between the second and third Tests.

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

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus Australia.

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

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.