🔗 Share this article Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Frail Characters' Remarks The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes. But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test." The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Position In Question While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks 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 poor record against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes. But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test." The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435. Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Position In Question While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks 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 poor record against the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.