Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.

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

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain 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 very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

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

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.