Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 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. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

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

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

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

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

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

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

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