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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener made a knock of 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. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks 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 asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

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

This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

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

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

But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.