Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

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

The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

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

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.

Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.

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

This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're 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 difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made 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 Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.