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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.