Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate 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 press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

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

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.