Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, after the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.

Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.