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

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

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

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

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

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning 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 some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.