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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made those words in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

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

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.

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

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."

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

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.