Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.

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

But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

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

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.

Defeat will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

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 sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

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

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.