Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

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

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope 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 to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.