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

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"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 the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

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

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.

A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.