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

England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

Stokes made those words in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"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.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his team 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.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one 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 suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a productive 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," he concluded.