Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

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

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

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

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

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

Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.