Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments
England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
