Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

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

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.