Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, 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."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.