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

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

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

The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.

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

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.