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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

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

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 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 poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – 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. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.