Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face 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 in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.

Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.