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

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".

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

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

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

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

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

"The squad is fully aware 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 from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.