Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

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

Stokes delivered this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

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

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.