Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.

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

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.

However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.

The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

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

"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.

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

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

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

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

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Place In Question

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.