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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

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