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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

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

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "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," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.