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

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before 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 alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.