Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

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

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

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.