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

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 delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

But, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

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

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.