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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted 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 needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

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

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.