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

The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.

However, after the opener made 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 some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "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 like that," Crawley added.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.