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

The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

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

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.