Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

However, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

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

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "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," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.