Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

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

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.