Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in several conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

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

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

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

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

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