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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

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

However, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "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

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

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

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.