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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"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," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

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

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.