Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of 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 playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

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

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.