🔗 Share this article Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Frail Characters' Comments The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". Stokes made those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes. But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added. "It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average. However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". Stokes made those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month. In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes. But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added. "It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average. However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.