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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

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

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.