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

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.