Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in several interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

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

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

But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "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 some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

This means, Australia require four wickets on the 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 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

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

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.