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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.