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

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, following the opener scored 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 everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.