Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

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

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.