Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

Stokes made those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, 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. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"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 produced some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.