Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

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

"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.