Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

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

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.