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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss 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 needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth 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 anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

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

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

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

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

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

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

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.