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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

But, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, 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," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

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

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

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.