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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

But, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth 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 everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

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

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

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

However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.