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

England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

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

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.