Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks
England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third 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" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.