Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

The English opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.

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

But, after Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he said 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.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

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

Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.

Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.

A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.