Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments
England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.
However, after the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"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 some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory 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 disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised 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. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
