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

England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

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

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

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.