Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.

"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "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 a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

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

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

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

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.

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

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

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

Across 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 since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

But, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.