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

The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.

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

Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been very positive, 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."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.

Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.

A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.