Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "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," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

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

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across 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 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.