Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here 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 will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

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

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.