Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "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 played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.