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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

However, after Crawley made 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. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing 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 Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.