Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate 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 press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."

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

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

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

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.