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

England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

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

However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

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

Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.

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

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

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

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty 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 order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.

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

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

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.