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

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

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

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

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

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

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

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

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

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