Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

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

The team afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations 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 messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

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

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.