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

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

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

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

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

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

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

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.