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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, after the opener made 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. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

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

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive 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 in the camp," Crawley finished.