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

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

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

But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days 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 determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.