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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

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

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

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

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – 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 under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.