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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

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

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

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

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view 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 and they've proven why."

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, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

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

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.