Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments
England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, 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 a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
However, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
