Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message 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 Crawley made 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. We 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 his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.