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

The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

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

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

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

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

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

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.