Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.

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

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

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

This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

Defeat would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.

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

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

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

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.