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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.