Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.