Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "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 some skepticism," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."

Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

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

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.