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

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in several interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

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

But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

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 effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

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

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware 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. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.