Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

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

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.