Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".

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

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

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

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.