Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated 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 those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

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

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

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

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

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

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.