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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

But, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he said his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

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

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.