Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

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

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged 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 stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

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

"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

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

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.