Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes against Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

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

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.

However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.