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

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

However, after the opener made a knock of 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 Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes 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 completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

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