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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "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," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.