🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second 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 let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader. However, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "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," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss. This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second 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 let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader. However, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "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," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series. Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge. "The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss. This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.