Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Comments

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.

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 message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

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

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.