Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored 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. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing 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 determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

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

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.