Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

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

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

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "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 played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.